My 15 Minutes of Fame Just Got Extended

Not everyone gets the rare opportunity to relive their 15 minutes of fame. Hence, the reason why it’s only 15 minutes.

But tonight I was called upon to come back into the limelight.

Let me rewind:

Back in December 2008, I was featured as one of City Weekend’s Fashionistas.  This was by far one of the coolest things I’ve been lucky enough to partake in.  Not only was I featured in a full double-page spread in the magazine, I got a full make-over courtesy of the beautiful and talented Meili Autumn, who has a gift of making you look and feel stunning.

You can check out the final product here (City Weekend, Issue December 4-17):

FASHIONISTA: Beauty and the Bling

Kristen Lum lights up any room she occupies with her electric personality and 1000-watt smile. I just can never feel down or bluesy around her. She makes me want to giggle like a sixth grader during a sex-ed talk. Another thing Kristen has got going for her is a super cute figure, which often sports the shortest, brightest dresses I’ve seen in Beijing: trés sexy. As the PR girl for hot spots like Bling, All Star and newbie to the scene Domus, Kristen has her plate full of venues she has to look stunning in on a nightly basis. How does she do it night after flawless night? “The trick is to have a ‘go-to dress,’ something you can slip on and look great in no matter what the occasion,” she confides in me. Kristen finds these little numbers at Zara, in the Solana Lifestyle Shopping Park or American Apparel. For mini dresses and high heels, her secret place is LingLing’s shop in Jiayi Vogue Square stall #712. As a born and bred Cali girl, Kristen loves the summertime look: “beach wear, bright colors, being tan, sundresses and flip-flops.” Since coming to Beijing, she has had to learn to adapt to the cold, and while you’ll still find her at Bling on the weekends wearing tiny skirts and dresses, she’ll compensate for the length with thigh-high boots. “China’s really given me an opportunity to express myself through fashion. I love knowing that I can go out and never feel over-dressed.” Kristen leaves me with some parting words: “Now that I work at Bling, I’m all about the bling.” With that bright smile, and glittering jewelery, I consider Kristen one of Beijing’s fashion diamonds.

MeiLi Autumn

Name: Kristen Lum

Nationality: Californian

Occupation: Marketing and Media Director for Alchemy

Fashionista by MeiLi Autumn For more style analysis or fashion insight, visit MeiLi’s website,

www.MeiLiAutumn.com

Photographer: Tao Zi Hair and Makeup: MeiLi Autumn

About a year since I did the photoshoot for my Fashionista feature, I received an e-mail invitation tonight to participate in the upcoming FASHIONISTA Party, featuring a fashion show with all previous CW Fashionistas, for a chance to win the title Mr. or Ms. Beijing Fashionista and a VIP card to Hotel G for a night’s stay in this fabulous boutique hotel.

Save the date- Saturday, September 19, 2009 because I have a feeling that with all the Fashionistas together in one show, this event is bound to go down in the books…or at least go down in the next issue of CityWeekend.

See?  The fame is already getting to my head. And I can’t wait.

Come out and show your support and vote for your favorite fashionista.  Or just come out to Hotel G and take advantage of their 25rmb drinks and awesome tapas/cheese platters.

Happy Birthday to…Everybody!

There’s something about August.  The past two weeks have been filled with birthday parties for everyone and their mother.

First, it was All-Star’s 1 Year Birthday on August 5th and then Bling’s 1 Year Birthday Weekend on August 7 & 8th.

Yesterday, August 15th, it was not only Hatsune‘s 8 Year Birthday Celebration at both branches, it was also Block 8‘s GM, Xixi Cheng’s birthday (a surprise party at Karaiya followed by a party at the Beach), and All-Star/Bling‘s owner, Ken Li’s birthday party at Bling, obviously.

Yesterday’s parties were off the hook, and today we celebrated Ken’s actual birthday.  Ken hosted his dinner party at Todai, which was fitting since his friends are all giants who can really make the most of this gargantuan buffet.  Todai was perfect for everyone to get together and gorge on a buffet that has something for everyone…and then some.

I was grateful to be a included in Ken’s birthday celebrations as he is someone I have always respected and looked up to (both figuratively and literally, he’s super tall). HAPPY BIRTHDAY to KENDOGG!!  Just Like That.

Julia, Ken & I at Todai

Ken with his Mama & 4 Birthday Cakes

*On the topic of Birthdays, it will be my 25th Birthday on September 8!  Stay posted on my birthday plans, and save the date for Saturday, September 12th for my birthday shenanigans and debauchery. Details TBA.

Review of Todai: Described as “the mother of all seafood buffets”, Todai is one of the largest buffets I’ve encountered featuring everything from salad and appetizers, pasta, pizza, sushi and seafood, teppanyaki grill, HK BBQ, dim sum, noodles, shark fin soup section, Indian & Tandoori section, and a massive dessert selection including crepes, outstanding fresh juice joint, wine section, and much, much more. RMB 198 per person for weekday lunch, RMB 258 per person for dinner.

Best Part:

• The HUGE Snow Crab Legs were the main attraction (don’t forget to ask for melted butter to dip)
• The Teppanyaki Grill selection serves up great filets and foie gras
• The Creme Brulees are shockingly well-done
• The crepes and souffles for dessert are amazing with the rich chocholate from the chocolate fondue!

Comments:

• Not impressed by the quality or taste of the sashimi or sushi rolls (I’m too spoiled by Hatsune)
• A place for people interested in quantity over quality – there was very little that was worth even trying
• If you want a solid buffet that serves everything your palate desires, then I recommend the Senses in the Westin, Financial Street.  You can also find here a list of the Top Weekend Brunch Buffets in Town.

Solana, No. 6 Chaoyang Park Road, Chaoyang Park – Northwest gate, next to Starbucks Coffee
朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾商业区亮马食街

5905-6888